Pogona is a genus of reptiles containing eight species, which are often known by the common namebearded dragons. The term "bearded dragon" is most commonly used to describe the central bearded dragon, (Pogona vitticeps).[citation needed] The name "bearded dragon" refers to the "beard" of the lizard, the underside of the throat which turns black if they are stressed or see a potential rival. They are adept climbers, spending time on branches and in bushes and near human habitation. Pogona species bask on rocks and exposed branches in the mornings and afternoons. They are found throughout much of Australia in a wide range of habitats such as deserts, shrublands and Eucalyptus woodlands.[1]

Several species of this genus, especially the central bearded dragon, are often kept as pets or exhibited in zoos due to their hardy nature and easy care in comparison to other exotic reptiles.

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The genus is in the subfamilyAgaminae of the family Agamidae. Part of the Lizard family, their characteristics include broad, triangular heads and flattened bodies with spiny scales arranged in rows and clusters. These are found on the throat, which can be expanded when threatened, and at the back of the head. These spiny scales are used to scare off predators, yet they are not very sharp. Bearded dragons display a hand-waving gesture to show submission, and a head-bobbing display to show dominance between dragons. They have the ability to change color during rivalry challenges between males, in response to ambient temperature changes such as turning black to absorb heat, and other stimuli. Males grow up to 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 in) long, and females up to 30 to 51 cm (12 to 20 in).[1]

Bearded dragons originate from central Australia, where they live in the arid and subtropicalwoodlands, scrublands, savannas, shore areas, and into the great interior deserts.[2] Their range extends throughout the interior of the eastern states to the eastern half of South Australia and southeastern Northern Territory. They spend most of their time in bushes and trees, and will often bask on rocks. When the climate is too hot they will often burrow underground.

Adult bearded dragons are very territorial. As they grow, they establish social hierarchies in which aggressive and appeasement displays form a normal part of their social interactions. The beard is used for both mating and aggression displays. Both sexes have a beard, but males display more frequently, especially in courtship rituals. Females will, however, display their beard as a sign of aggression also. The beard darkens, sometimes turning jet black and inflates during the display. The bearded dragon may also open its mouth and gape in addition to inflating its beard to appear more intimidating. Head bobbing is another behavior and it is only seen in males; the male quickly moves its head up and down, often darkening and flaring his beard. He does this to show dominance over smaller males, weaker males, and females he would like to mate with. Another behavior is arm waving, done by both males and females. Standing on 3 legs the bearded dragon with lift one of its front legs and move it in a circular motion. Arm waving functions as species recognition, and it is a sign of submission. Smaller males will often respond to larger males by arm waving. Females will also arm wave to avoid male aggression, often in response to a male's head bobbing.[3]

Bearded dragons—most commonly, the inland or central bearded dragon—are kept as pets. Introduced as pets to the US during the 1990s, they are a popular exotic species pet even though Australia, from the 1960s onward, has banned the sale of its wildlife to the pet trade [4] They are a popular species among children because of their friendly and calm nature, and the relative ease of caring for them.[5] Generally speaking, the bearded dragon is a solitary animal. Male bearded dragons are usually housed alone, as they will fight with other males and breed with females. Captive adults reach about 42 to 61 cm (16 to 24 in) from head to tail, weigh 350 to 600 g (10 to 20 oz)[6] and live for about 8 to 12 years with good care.[1]

Captive adult bearded dragon's diet typically consists mostly of leafy greens, vegetables and noncitrus fruits, supplemented regularly with insects. Juvenile and baby bearded dragon diets consist mainly of insects (juvenile pellets can be bought at shops). A juvenile Bearded Dragon eats insects three times a day on average. The amount of insects they eat depends on the dragon itself and how much it can eat. If you have a domesticated Bearded Dragon, you should allow them to eat as many insects as they can in a ten- to fifteen-minute time span and then remove the leftover insects from the vivarium.[7]Crickets are the most popular insects fed to bearded dragons, but they can also be fed other insects such as black soldier fly larvae, locusts, superworms, waxworms, silkworms, butterworms, grasshoppers, hornworms, and even some varieties of roaches, such as dubia roaches. Mealworms should be considered a snack for bearded dragons because they contain a lot of fat and can lead to poor health.[5] Young dragons require a significantly greater insect-to-plant matter ratio in their diets than adults.